Can a person truly understand a text if.........

[YoursTrue]

Let me ask you the following questions.

1. You mention different "branches" of Judaism. How old are each of what you consider a "branch" and what caused their founding?
2. Please give me a few names of Jews who held by each branch of Judaism you mention for the following time periods in history.
   • 3,000 years ago
   • 2,500 years ago
   • 2,000 years ago
   • 1,500 years ago
   • 500 years ago
3. Are each one of the branches you mention found in all Jewish communities around the world? If not, why? For example, which branches of Judaism, as you mentioned, were found in North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian Jewish communities?
4. What do each of these branches you mention claim about Mount Sinai? Do they all claim that Hashem "Himself" gave the entire written Torah to Mosheh (Moses) before he passed away? If not, what do they say "historically" happened instead?
5. Is it proper to consider something historically accurate if it is neither ancient or authoratative?

If one wants to understand something "corrently" you definately need the right tools for that. A person who knows nothing about electricity and the principles behind engineering design it can't claim to be a reliably licensed Electrician. Sure, anyone can come along thousands of years later and just make up their own Electrician's license but that doesn't make them a reliable source. Of course, someone can come along thousands of years later and just make something up on the fly and people can choose to rely on that. By like token if you don't know Hebrew you are reliable on someone's ability and willingness to translate. You are further, never certain if they did what they did correctly or if they simply made up things here and there to fit a certain theology they wanted to create.

If the giver of the Torah gave those tools, and someone comes along and decides not to follow them obviously they cannot claim to "correctly" understand what the giver of the Torah meant.

There have been some situations where I have shown you how something you provided was mistranslated and you chose to ignore it. I am not criticising you for it but it has happened a couple of time. Again, what this boils down to is that you "believe" and "accept" a certain group of translators as your middle men between you and the text.

We could easily debate this issue till the sun fades away. So, I suggest that we agree to disagree and simply wait this one out.

I think what I may need to do to help people understand what I mean about knowing the language and the culture around the text is the following. I am going to translate several critical sections of the New Testament using the same type of translation methods used by certain Christian translators for the Tanakh.

So here is my question -- wikipedia states about the Masoretic text the following, to begin with. I'd love to hear your viewpoint on this:
"The Masoretic Text[a] (MT or ) (נוסח המסורה) is the authoritative Hebrew Aramaic text of the 24 books of the Tanakh in Rabbinic Judaism. The Masoretic Text defines the Jewish canon and its precise letter-text, with its vocalization and accentuation known as the masorah. It was primarily copied, edited and distributed by a group of Jews known as the Masoretes between the 7th and 10th centuries of the Common Era (CE).

The oldest extant manuscripts date from around the 9th century.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masoretic_Text#cite_note-3 The Aleppo Codex (once the oldest-known complete copy but since 1947 missing the Torah) dates from the 10th century."
It's that last sentence that gets me, since -- it says the "oldest extant manuscripts date from around the 9th century..."

 

[Ehav4Ever]

So here is my question -- wikipedia states about the Masoretic text the following, to begin with. I'd love to hear your viewpoint on this:
"The Masoretic Text[a] (MT or ) (נוסח המסורה) is the authoritative Hebrew Aramaic text of the 24 books of the Tanakh in Rabbinic Judaism. The Masoretic Text defines the Jewish canon and its precise letter-text, with its vocalization and accentuation known as the masorah. It was primarily copied, edited and distributed by a group of Jews known as the Masoretes between the 7th and 10th centuries of the Common Era (CE).

The oldest extant manuscripts date from around the 9th century. The Aleppo Codex (once the oldest-known complete copy but since 1947 missing the Torah) dates from the 10th century."
It's that last sentence that gets me, since -- it says the "oldest extant manuscripts date from around the 9th century..."

Wikipedia, is not a primary source of information on any topic. Anyone is allowed to write information on their articles whether they know what they are talking about or not. Yet, as you will remember we discussed that topic before in another thread and I presented you a paper on this topic.

Again, let's address the questions I asked you earlier:

1. You mention different "branches" of Judaism. How old are each of what you consider a "branch" and what caused their founding?
2. Please give me a few names of Jews who held by each branch of Judaism you mention for the following time periods in history.
   • 3,000 years ago
   • 2,500 years ago
   • 2,000 years ago
   • 1,500 years ago
   • 500 years ago
3. Are each one of the branches you mention found in all Jewish communities around the world? If not, why? For example, which branches of Judaism, as you mentioned, were found in North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian Jewish communities?
4. What do each of these branches you mention claim about Mount Sinai? Do they all claim that Hashem "Himself" gave the entire written Torah to Mosheh (Moses) before he passed away? If not, what do they say "historically" happened instead?
5. Is it proper to consider something historically accurate if it is neither ancient or authoratative?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

After having looked at a number of debates and discussions on this forum. I have noticed a interesting thing in a few of them that makes me ask the following questions.

The following will involve questions about someone I will call "person X".

1. Can person X really claim to know/understand a text when they are a reading a translation of it?
2. Can person X really claim to know/understand a text if they do not accurately know, first hand, the culture/idioms of the authors/receipants/transmitters of the most ancient and authorative versions of the text?
3. Can person X really claim to know/understand a text when the language of the text is several thousand years old and person X is not even slightly fluent in the language the text was written in?
4. Can person X really claim to know/understand a text when the above questions are answered "no" about person X and when people who do know the language fluently and grew up in the culture that produced the text disagree with person X's ideas about the text?

I am interested in reading people's thoughts.

I don't believe personally that any religious text or any text for that matter can be understood in full without the culture, language, and even community if so have it to put context into what is read. Personal experiences can act as biases and people read what they want to read into the scripture or text or even mythology. The lessons are useful but for those who look for accuracy in their scriptural text to use the message, yes. I believe all those things need to take place to get a real sense of what is said.

That. I also don't believe seminary classes and study can replace being part of that culture. It's somewhat like someone who follows Jewish teachings but doesn't have have Jewish mother so isn't considered a Jew. So the context is missing even though even personal experience may not be. In many religions this isn't an issue of division. In a few, like christianity (I noticed), it is.

 

[YoursTrue]

Let me ask you the following questions.

1. You mention different "branches" of Judaism. How old are each of what you consider a "branch" and what caused their founding?
2. Please give me a few names of Jews who held by each branch of Judaism you mention for the following time periods in history.
   • 3,000 years ago
   • 2,500 years ago
   • 2,000 years ago
   • 1,500 years ago
   • 500 years ago
3. Are each one of the branches you mention found in all Jewish communities around the world? If not, why? For example, which branches of Judaism, as you mentioned, were found in North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian Jewish communities?
4. What do each of these branches you mention claim about Mount Sinai? Do they all claim that Hashem "Himself" gave the entire written Torah to Mosheh (Moses) before he passed away? If not, what do they say "historically" happened instead?
5. Is it proper to consider something historically accurate if it is neither ancient or authoratative?

If one wants to understand something "corrently" you definately need the right tools for that. A person who knows nothing about electricity and the principles behind engineering design it can't claim to be a reliably licensed Electrician. Sure, anyone can come along thousands of years later and just make up their own Electrician's license but that doesn't make them a reliable source. Of course, someone can come along thousands of years later and just make something up on the fly and people can choose to rely on that. By like token if you don't know Hebrew you are reliable on someone's ability and willingness to translate. You are further, never certain if they did what they did correctly or if they simply made up things here and there to fit a certain theology they wanted to create.

If the giver of the Torah gave those tools, and someone comes along and decides not to follow them obviously they cannot claim to "correctly" understand what the giver of the Torah meant.

There have been some situations where I have shown you how something you provided was mistranslated and you chose to ignore it. I am not criticising you for it but it has happened a couple of time. Again, what this boils down to is that you "believe" and "accept" a certain group of translators as your middle men between you and the text.

We could easily debate this issue till the sun fades away. So, I suggest that we agree to disagree and simply wait this one out.

I think what I may need to do to help people understand what I mean about knowing the language and the culture around the text is the following. I am going to translate several critical sections of the New Testament using the same type of translation methods used by certain Christian translators for the Tanakh.

I believe translation and proper understanding (context) is very, v-e-r-y important. However, and it's a big however, in order for ANYONE basically to understand HEBREW, one must be taught. That requires a long time. Which is why, of course, there are rabbis. I imagine a reform rabbi has been taught Hebrew. The concepts obviously are different. Back to manuscripts.

Wikipedia, is not a primary source of information on any topic. Anyone is allowed to write information on their articles whether they know what they are talking about or not. Yet, as you will remember we discussed that topic before in another thread and I presented you a paper on this topic.

Again, let's address the questions I asked you earlier:

1. You mention different "branches" of Judaism. How old are each of what you consider a "branch" and what caused their founding?
2. Please give me a few names of Jews who held by each branch of Judaism you mention for the following time periods in history.
   • 3,000 years ago
   • 2,500 years ago
   • 2,000 years ago
   • 1,500 years ago
   • 500 years ago
3. Are each one of the branches you mention found in all Jewish communities around the world? If not, why? For example, which branches of Judaism, as you mentioned, were found in North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian Jewish communities?
4. What do each of these branches you mention claim about Mount Sinai? Do they all claim that Hashem "Himself" gave the entire written Torah to Mosheh (Moses) before he passed away? If not, what do they say "historically" happened instead?
5. Is it proper to consider something historically accurate if it is neither ancient or authoratative?

Let me get this straight. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the text the Masoretes used before the markings were added is somehow alive and well. Because you are the expert and so I know you said the dead sea scrolls are very close to the Masoretic text, do I have that right? I know I must learn more about the Masoretic text. Forgive me if you told me that before. That's my first point or question. But! The point is that until the scrolls were discovered, there were no ancient texts in hebrew or Aramaic to compare with the read sea scrolls, is that right? If you say yes, give history or a link. I'm not necessarily speaking of bits and pieces.
As for the branches of Judaism that are currently, such as reform, conservative, orthodox, I cannot now say when they all started. I expect to check. Of course my last question now is what do you think it all leads to? (the Messiah? Deliverer? Kings and priests?) I mean, where's it all going?
I still gotta say it's been a pleasure talking to you.

 

[YoursTrue]

I don't believe personally that any religious text or any text for that matter can be understood in full without the culture, language, and even community if so have it to put context into what is read. Personal experiences can act as biases and people read what they want to read into the scripture or text or even mythology. The lessons are useful but for those who look for accuracy in their scriptural text to use the message, yes. I believe all those things need to take place to get a real sense of what is said.

That. I also don't believe seminary classes and study can replace being part of that culture. It's somewhat like someone who follows Jewish teachings but doesn't have have Jewish mother so isn't considered a Jew. So the context is missing even though even personal experience may not be. In many religions this isn't an issue of division. In a few, like christianity (I noticed), it is.

I am prompted to say that I know someone who is Jewish, bar mitzvahed, married a nonJewish woman who did not convert, had a child who got bar mitzvahed, the synagogue approved.

 

[YoursTrue]

Wikipedia, is not a primary source of information on any topic. Anyone is allowed to write information on their articles whether they know what they are talking about or not. Yet, as you will remember we discussed that topic before in another thread and I presented you a paper on this topic.

Again, let's address the questions I asked you earlier:

1. You mention different "branches" of Judaism. How old are each of what you consider a "branch" and what caused their founding?
2. Please give me a few names of Jews who held by each branch of Judaism you mention for the following time periods in history.
   • 3,000 years ago
   • 2,500 years ago
   • 2,000 years ago
   • 1,500 years ago
   • 500 years ago
3. Are each one of the branches you mention found in all Jewish communities around the world? If not, why? For example, which branches of Judaism, as you mentioned, were found in North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian Jewish communities?
4. What do each of these branches you mention claim about Mount Sinai? Do they all claim that Hashem "Himself" gave the entire written Torah to Mosheh (Moses) before he passed away? If not, what do they say "historically" happened instead?
5. Is it proper to consider something historically accurate if it is neither ancient or authoratative?

I have not spoken to a prime source of information from each of those sectors, folds, branches, etc. But it's an interesting question.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I am prompted to say that I know someone who is Jewish, bar mitzvahed, married a nonJewish woman who did not convert, had a child who got bar mitzvahed, the synagogue approved.

I don't know about marriage criteria, though. Though he can convert to judaism as a jew.

 

[YoursTrue]

I don't know about marriage criteria, though. Though he can convert to judaism as a jew.

He did not convert, even though his father, a highly educated man, was Jewish and his mother, also well educated, remained Catholic. The synagogue in a well established community accepted the young man to be bar mitzvahed. I am supposing he considers himself a jew. I am sure he was circumcized as many non-Jews get circumcized regardless. But I haven't spoken to them in some time so cannot say with any definitiveness.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

He did not convert, even though his father, a highly educated man, was Jewish and his mother, also well educated, remained Catholic. The synagogue in a well established community accepted the young man to be bar mitzvahed. I am supposing he considers himself a jew. I am sure he was circumcized as many non-Jews get circumcized regardless. But I haven't spoken to them in some time so cannot say with any definitiveness.

I think it's if your mother was jew, then you're a jew type of thing. As for the particulars of how that works, your guess is as good as mine.

 

[YoursTrue]

Let me ask you the following questions.

1. You mention different "branches" of Judaism. How old are each of what you consider a "branch" and what caused their founding?
2. Please give me a few names of Jews who held by each branch of Judaism you mention for the following time periods in history.
   • 3,000 years ago
   • 2,500 years ago
   • 2,000 years ago
   • 1,500 years ago
   • 500 years ago
3. Are each one of the branches you mention found in all Jewish communities around the world? If not, why? For example, which branches of Judaism, as you mentioned, were found in North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian Jewish communities?
4. What do each of these branches you mention claim about Mount Sinai? Do they all claim that Hashem "Himself" gave the entire written Torah to Mosheh (Moses) before he passed away? If not, what do they say "historically" happened instead?
5. Is it proper to consider something historically accurate if it is neither ancient or authoratative?

If one wants to understand something "corrently" you definately need the right tools for that. A person who knows nothing about electricity and the principles behind engineering design it can't claim to be a reliably licensed Electrician. Sure, anyone can come along thousands of years later and just make up their own Electrician's license but that doesn't make them a reliable source. Of course, someone can come along thousands of years later and just make something up on the fly and people can choose to rely on that. By like token if you don't know Hebrew you are reliable on someone's ability and willingness to translate. You are further, never certain if they did what they did correctly or if they simply made up things here and there to fit a certain theology they wanted to create.

If the giver of the Torah gave those tools, and someone comes along and decides not to follow them obviously they cannot claim to "correctly" understand what the giver of the Torah meant.

There have been some situations where I have shown you how something you provided was mistranslated and you chose to ignore it. I am not criticising you for it but it has happened a couple of time. Again, what this boils down to is that you "believe" and "accept" a certain group of translators as your middle men between you and the text.

We could easily debate this issue till the sun fades away. So, I suggest that we agree to disagree and simply wait this one out.

I think what I may need to do to help people understand what I mean about knowing the language and the culture around the text is the following. I am going to translate several critical sections of the New Testament using the same type of translation methods used by certain Christian translators for the Tanakh.

I believe translation and proper understanding (context) is very, v-e-r-y important. However, and it's a big however, in order for ANYONE basically to understand HEBREW, one must be taught. That requires a long time. Which is why, of course, there are rabbis. I imagine a reform rabbi has been taught Hebrew. The concepts obviously are different. Back to manuscripts.

 

[YoursTrue]

I think it's if your mother was jew, then you're a jew type of thing. As for the particulars of how that works, your guess is as good as mine.

"a Jew type thing..." ok. I did a little research on this,and yes, America has at least one 'reform' synagogue that allows the father to pass on the lineage of Judaism (Jewishness?) to the children. Canada may have a different system. Here's one interesting article on the subject of non-Jewish women married to Jewish men. For non-Jewish mothers raising Jewish children, things can get complicated - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

 

[YoursTrue]

I think it's if your mother was jew, then you're a jew type of thing. As for the particulars of how that works, your guess is as good as mine.

Here is the most interesting and informative article about the situation that I've read so far. Who is a Jew: the Challenge of Modern Jewry

 

[YoursTrue]

Wikipedia, is not a primary source of information on any topic. Anyone is allowed to write information on their articles whether they know what they are talking about or not. Yet, as you will remember we discussed that topic before in another thread and I presented you a paper on this topic.

Again, let's address the questions I asked you earlier:

1. You mention different "branches" of Judaism. How old are each of what you consider a "branch" and what caused their founding?
2. Please give me a few names of Jews who held by each branch of Judaism you mention for the following time periods in history.
   • 3,000 years ago
   • 2,500 years ago
   • 2,000 years ago
   • 1,500 years ago
   • 500 years ago
3. Are each one of the branches you mention found in all Jewish communities around the world? If not, why? For example, which branches of Judaism, as you mentioned, were found in North African, Middle Eastern, and Asian Jewish communities?
4. What do each of these branches you mention claim about Mount Sinai? Do they all claim that Hashem "Himself" gave the entire written Torah to Mosheh (Moses) before he passed away? If not, what do they say "historically" happened instead?
5. Is it proper to consider something historically accurate if it is neither ancient or authoratative?

Forgive me if I can't read everything you write. Time is limited. I did, however, look up more about the subject of "sects," or "branches." . Essene | ancient Jewish sect
Historians know there were the Essenes and the Pharisees.
I'll leave it there for the moment. The Essenes had certain viewpoints, not agreeing with the Pharisees. Oh, wait, there's more. You probably know about this, quoting from setapartpeople.com::
"...the Essenes. The majority view at the moment states that they were the people who lived at Wadi Qumran. It is believed that they were the owners of the scrolls that were found in the Judean desert. There is also another reason that a lot of people are looking at this group. They are known for the fact that they did not use the lunar calendar. In their scrolls it is clear that they followed a solar calendar. This makes it clear that they did not follow the norm of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Who were the Essenes? | Set Apart People
Well, it all becomes very interesting.

 

[Ehav4Ever]

I believe translation and proper understanding (context) is very, v-e-r-y important. However, and it's a big however, in order for ANYONE basically to understand HEBREW, one must be taught. That requires a long time. Which is why, of course, there are rabbis. I imagine a reform rabbi has been taught Hebrew. The concepts obviously are different. Back to manuscripts.

Actually, it is not the jobs of rabbis to teach and and maintain the Hebrew language. It is the job of parents and grandparents to do that. That is why here in Israel the entire population speaks Hebrew. Before the state there were numerous Jewish communities that were teaching their children Hebrew/Aramaic, some of them did not have rabbis. In Torath Mosheh and Orthodox Jewish communities every Jewish man has a responsibility to teach people Torah/Halakha, Hebrew, and Aramaic. In many Middle Eastern and North African Jewish communities any older Jewish man, rabbi or not, who had finished his working career would teach children Hebrew/Aramaic, Torah, and Halakha.

It is not the responsibility of a rabbi to be the sole source of information on any one thing. In Torath Mosheh communities a Jewish man is children's rabbi. Their grandfathers are also their rabbis. Their teachers of Torah are their rabbis. etc.

Let me get this straight. If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the text the Masoretes used before the markings were added is somehow alive and well. Because you are the expert and so I know you said the dead sea scrolls are very close to the Masoretic text, do I have that right? I know I must learn more about the Masoretic text. Forgive me if you told me that before. That's my first point or question. But! The point is that until the scrolls were discovered, there were no ancient texts in hebrew or Aramaic to compare with the read sea scrolls, is that right? If you say yes, give history or a link. I'm not necessarily speaking of bits and pieces.

Yes, the texts that the VARIOUS Masorites around the Jewish world used is alive and well. This is why when Jesuits priests went to China, after they heard there was an ancient Jewish community there they went there hoping that they would find Torah scrolls that contradict what they called Masoretic texts (hoping to confirm the NT). They left dissappointed because the Jews there had the same Torah scrolls found in other parts of the Jewish world.

Even the Dead Sea scrolls are the same. We actually discussed that already before and I also covered that in the paper I provided to you. You may want to go back over that information in full. All the Dead Sea scrolls did was prove that Jewish communities had that survived the 2nd Temple period had preserved what existed prior to the 2nd Temple period.

As for the branches of Judaism that are currently, such as reform, conservative, orthodox, I cannot now say when they all started. I expect to check. Of course my last question now is what do you think it all leads to? (the Messiah? Deliverer? Kings and priests?) I mean, where's it all going?
I still gotta say it's been a pleasure talking to you.

My suggestion is to take the questions I gave you and research the "branches of Judaism" you mentioned based on those questions. In fact, ask those questions to members of the branches you mentioned and see what kind of answers they give you.

In terms of your questions about a messiah. We covered that before also. See the following link where that has been covered before.

Simple Reasons Why Jews Don't Believe in Jesus and Christianity

 

[Ehav4Ever]

I am prompted to say that I know someone who is Jewish, bar mitzvahed, married a nonJewish woman who did not convert, had a child who got bar mitzvahed, the synagogue approved.

What kind of synagogue? Where is it locoated? Is it Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform?

 

[Ehav4Ever]

Forgive me if I can't read everything you write. Time is limited. I did, however, look up more about the subject of "sects," or "branches." . Essene | ancient Jewish sect
Historians know there were the Essenes and the Pharisees.
I'll leave it there for the moment. The Essenes had certain viewpoints, not agreeing with the Pharisees. Oh, wait, there's more. You probably know about this, quoting from setapartpeople.com::
"...the Essenes. The majority view at the moment states that they were the people who lived at Wadi Qumran. It is believed that they were the owners of the scrolls that were found in the Judean desert. There is also another reason that a lot of people are looking at this group. They are known for the fact that they did not use the lunar calendar. In their scrolls it is clear that they followed a solar calendar. This makes it clear that they did not follow the norm of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Who were the Essenes? | Set Apart People
Well, it all becomes very interesting.

And where are the Essenes now? If they are not around now what happened to them? When did they disappear?

Why does Josephus describe the Pharisees in a favorable light and state that they were loved by the Jewish populace because of how kind they were to people and how they carried on their traditions from ancient times?

 

[YoursTrue]

Actually, it is not the jobs of rabbis to teach and and maintain the Hebrew language. It is the job of parents and grandparents to do that. That is why here in Israel the entire population speaks Hebrew. Before the state there were numerous Jewish communities that were teaching their children Hebrew/Aramaic, some of them did not have rabbis. In Torath Mosheh and Orthodox Jewish communities every Jewish man has a responsibility to teach people Torah/Halakha, Hebrew, and Aramaic. In many Middle Eastern and North African Jewish communities any older Jewish man, rabbi or not, who had finished his working career would teach children Hebrew/Aramaic, Torah, and Halakha.

It is not the responsibility of a rabbi to be the sole source of information on any one thing. In Torath Mosheh communities a Jewish man is children's rabbi. Their grandfathers are also their rabbis. Their teachers of Torah are their rabbis. etc.



Yes, the texts that the VARIOUS Masorites around the Jewish world used is alive and well. This is why when Jesuits priests went to China, after they heard there was an ancient Jewish community there they went there hoping that they would find Torah scrolls that contradict what they called Masoretic texts (hoping to confirm the NT). They left dissappointed because the Jews there had the same Torah scrolls found in other parts of the Jewish world.

Even the Dead Sea scrolls are the same. We actually discussed that already before and I also covered that in the paper I provided to you. You may want to go back over that information in full. All the Dead Sea scrolls did was prove that Jewish communities had that survived the 2nd Temple period had preserved what existed prior to the 2nd Temple period.



My suggestion is to take the questions I gave you and research the "branches of Judaism" you mentioned based on those questions. In fact, ask those questions to members of the branches you mentioned and see what kind of answers they give you.

In terms of your questions about a messiah. We covered that before also. See the following link where that has been covered before.

Simple Reasons Why Jews Don't Believe in Jesus and Christianity

OK, I really didn't ask you about Jesus and Christianity, although now that you mention it, Christianity does have the word Christ in it. Although imo some may say or think they follow or believe in the Christ Jesus, but they do not really. It's akin in an illustrative manner to claiming to be a Jew but not following the law. Kinda like the harlot type thing. Mamzer.
Yes, it is basically the parents' job to teach their children. That is scriptural. Not Hebrew, but about God from the Bible, so while we have differences about that, I am convinced that it is absolutely not necessary for people like me to learn Hebrew. In reference to teaching one's children, on the other hand, when I see the rebellious attitude of some in the news about gathering together, fighting one another, not wearing masks, it kinda makes you wonder.
While it might be interesting to research the so-called branches of Judaism, I believe after our very nice conversations, I have the answers except for the manuscripts. What I mean by that is that I do not need to have extensive information now about the Essenes, Pharisees, and Sadducees and other groups/sects. Another time, perhaps. I am thoroughly and absolutely satisfied and happy to know that God is going to bring the entire earth to a paradise like condition filled with righteous persons.

 

[YoursTrue]

And where are the Essenes now? If they are not around now what happened to them? When did they disappear?

Why does Josephus describe the Pharisees in a favorable light and state that they were loved by the Jewish populace because of how kind they were to people and how they carried on their traditions from ancient times?

Good question. The Pharisees believed in a resurrection of the dead, didn't they, like Maimonides proclaimed also. I was thinking about the law, the governments, and how the Jews back then were under the Roman yoke in the 1st century C.E. And so we shall hopefully see in this lifetime what the future will bring.

 

[YoursTrue]

What kind of synagogue? Where is it locoated? Is it Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform?

Now it's my turn to say I gave references. Here is one: Who is a Jew: the Challenge of Modern Jewry

 

[YoursTrue]

What kind of synagogue? Where is it locoated? Is it Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform?

Here's another reference to the dilemma for some as to who is a Jew: For non-Jewish mothers raising Jewish children, things can get complicated - Jewish Telegraphic Agency